Michael Stanley Whittingham

Stanley Whittingham is one of the main figures in the history of rechargeable
batteries. From the late 1960s until now he has examined promising materials
for use as cathode, anode, or electrolyte. He pioneered the use of titanium
disulfide for cathodes, now commonly used. He also initiated the concept
of intercalation. This term refers to the insertion of positively charged ions
into the cathode material. In a rechargeable battery, Li+ ions are typically
inserted between layers of the titanium disulfide
cathode while the battery is being charged, and then de-intercalated during
discharge. That the process of intercalation and de-intercalation of ions leaves
the basic structure of the host material intact, so that the charge and discharge
can take place repeatedly, was an understanding forged in the 1970s and early
1980s, and in which Whittingham played an important role. He has also been prominent
in the field through the editing of its main journal, Solid State Ionics,
from its inception in 1981. Read more about Whittingham's work in the period
1968-1984.

Whittingham went into management for a number of years (1984-1988),
while the field forged ahead. Japanese companies, in particular, made great
strides in the commercialization of lithium titanium disulfide rechargeable
batteries. When he rejoined battery research, the Japanese lead was becoming
dominant, embodied in a raft of patents.

Since 1988, Whittingham has explored further materials with a view to improving
batteries still further, both with regard to size and to performance. This will
not change drastically the way in which the energy economy is currently organized
(for example, the electrical vehicle is not around the corner), but smaller
and more powerful batteries will impact upon the cost and design of portable
electronics.